Violence in Bengal ahead of final phase polling

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Last Updated: Sun, May 11, 2014 13:30 hrs

Kolkata, May 11 (IANS) Congress and CPI-M candidates were Sunday attacked allegedly by Trinamool Congress workers in West Bengal ahead of the final phase of Lok Sabha polls on Monday. The Trinamool rubbished the allegations and said it was the opposition's "malicious propaganda".

Kalyan Samajdar, CPI-M's Cossipore zonal committee secretary, was hospitalized after he was attacked Sunday while Congress candidate for the Chakdaha assembly seat by-poll in Nadia district, Samarlal Singha Roy, alleged he and his bodyguard were also assaulted by Trinamool activists.

"A gang of Trinamool goons attacked me while I had gone out to buy medicine," a grievously injured Samajdar said on his way to the hospital.

Singha Roy said "a gang of Trinamool activists carrying party flags" attacked him, injuring him and his bodyguard.

Earlier Saturday, five CPI-M activists, including its youth wing DYFI state president Sayandip Mitra, were injured after being attacked by alleged Trinamool workers in Belgharia in North 24 Parganas district.

The police arrested five people in this connection but they were later released on bail.

There were also reports of an altercation between the Trinamool and CPI-M activists during a protest rally by the Marxists in Belgharia.

The CPI-M also alleged that the Trinamool was terrorizing and threatening voters across the city, especially in Beliaghata.

"Voters in at least 12 wards in Beliaghata have been threatened and terrorised by Trinamool which has created an environment of fear. It's not only Beliaghata but other parts of the city are also being targeted," CPI-M leader Manab Mukherjee said.

Reacting to the reports of violence, veteran CPI-M leader and Left Front chairman Biman Bose said the Trinamool was running amok as it has lost faith in itself.

"The Trinamool has lost faith in itself. It has also lost faith in the people and that is why it is resorting to violence and terror," said Bose.

Not only CPI-M leaders, Congress state president Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury also had to face angry protests led by Trinamool Murshidabad president Humayun Kabir.

Chowdhury's convoy was stopped at Saktipur in the district as Trinamool activists surrounded his vehicle and shouted slogans. The police had to intervene to remove the activists.

The Trinamool Congress, however, rubbished the allegations and said this was malicious propaganda by the opposition.

"The CPI-M and the Congress have unleashed terror in Bengal. Now they are claiming to be victims. I request people not to pay heed to any malicious propaganda and cast their votes freely tomorrow," Trinamool chairperson Mamata Banerjee wrote on Twitter.